Former General Secretary of Fiji First and Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, has issued a challenge to Members of Parliament (MPs) who either opposed or abstained from voting on a recent pay increase for themselves. Sayed-Khaiyum urged these MPs to demonstrate their sincerity by donating the additional benefits they received to charitable organizations or establishing a trust to support Fijians in need.
The MPs who voted against or abstained from the salary increase include Faiyaz Koya, Hem Chand, Premila Kumar, Joseph Nand, Viam Pillay, Rinesh Sharma, Ketan Lal, Prof. Biman Prasad, Pio Tikoduadua, Agni Deo Singh, Lenora Qereqeretabua, and Sashi Kiran. Praveen Bala was not present for the vote.
In his social media post, Sayed-Khaiyum emphasized that if these MPs are truly against the pay raise, they should publicly disclose the details of any funds donated to charities, reinforcing transparency and accountability. He argued that such actions would highlight their genuine opposition to the increase in benefits, contrasting their stance with those who voted in favor of the raise while ordinary Fijians continue to face significant economic hardships.
Sayed-Khaiyum’s remarks call for integrity within the political sphere, putting forward a compelling viewpoint that adds moral weight to the ongoing discourse on political remuneration in Fiji. By encouraging a charitable response, he fosters an environment where political leaders are expected to prioritize the welfare of their constituents, inspiring collective action towards community betterment.
As the conversation continues, there remains hope that political leaders will heed this call for responsibility and consider the impact their decisions have on ordinary citizens, thus potentially bridging the gap between governance and community welfare.
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